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BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups

St. Louis' Premier Jazz & Blues Club

A historical music venue!

BB’s, the St. Louis Blues and Jazz nightclub, was originally started in 1976 by Bob Burkhardt and Mark O’Shaughnessy. This first incarnation ran well into 1977. Typical Burkardtian woodworks, funky antiques, wood burning stove and art posters punctuated the busy eclectic atmosphere. In music, BB’s jazz, Blues and Soups ruled. But alas, the first BB’s closed a little over a year and a half from when it started.

A new business structure was created from 1980-81 for BB’s second incarnation. BB’s reopened and once more became a vital force in the St. Louis music scene, this time bringing Jazz artists like Earl Hines, Betty Carter, James Moody and Eddie Harris to the St. Louis marketplace as well as returning Blues favorites like Henry Townsend, Roosevelt Sykes, Yank Rachell & Sunnyland Slim to its stage.

A celebration of our music culture!

Keeper of the musical flame!

Once again the popularity of the Blues was still far from what it is today, and BB’s took a hiatus as a keeper of the alternative music flame. Fifteen years would intervene. On June 15th, 1996, BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups opened for the third time as a Jazz & Blues Nightclub & Restaurant. BB’s is able to seat 150 people, with the second floor open for gallery seating and dining.

We’re a new company that’s been around for a long time. We’re brimming with enthusiasm, and once again a keeper of the musical flame! We’re stoked about our City’s music and culture, the artworks, and the memorabilia. We hope that you’ll like BB’s too!